Relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life in elderly people: a cross section study

Walid Kamal, Gopal Nambi

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activitylevel and health related quality of life in elderly people.

Design: Between January and April 2017, a cross-sectional study of 114 elderly people (73 males and 41 females) conducted this study. Their mean age was (71±5.24) and the mean body mass index (BMI) was (29±3.31).The participating elderly were classified according to walking duration into two groups, low level of physical activity (walking duration <150min/week) and high level of physical activity (walking duration >300min/week).The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured using the Euro Qol-5dimensions-3 levels scale questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L). Statistical analysis was used to determine the relation between the physical activity and HRQoL scores in elderly people.

Results:The measures showed statistically significant differences between high and low physical activity groups (p<0.05). The group of high physical activity showed higher HRQoL scores more than the group of low physical activity in the all five dimensions. The low level group showed high predominance of the chronic disease.

Conclusions: High level of physical activity has a beneficial effect on all dimensions of the HRQoL in elderly people. Effort and awareness should be dedicated to encouraging the active lifestyle among different population especially elderly people